STEM Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

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S.H.E. Can Steam campers learn about aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Photo courtesy of S.H.E. Can STEAM Camp

STEM camps are incredibly popular in this digital age, especially with the mad technology skills kids have these days. With that in mind, we went on the hunt for innovative STEM summer camps in and around DC. There's a STEM camp for every age, skill level, and interest. Most are in-person, but there are virtual options for those who want a little more flexibility.

For more virtual options, check out our list of Best Online STEM, Robotics, and Coding Classes and Camps for Kids.

Looking for other summer camps near DC? Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more programs to fit any budget and interest, from sports day camps to overnight summer camps and everything in between.

Stephanie Shipman contributed additional reporting to this article.

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in NYC

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Head to Brooklyn Bow for family bowling on the weekend and sometimes even a dance party. Photo by Sara Marentette

A trip to a local bowling in NYC is a perfect indoor family activity when you find yourself with spare time (sorry—I couldn't resist). At about age 5, children really start enjoying it, making it an ideal family outing. Bowling birthday parties are a hit for the school-age set, and most of these family-friendly bowling alleys in NYC offer party packages.

There are traditional bowling alleys—think leagues, snack bars, pro shops—in the outer boroughs, but Manhattan's spots tend to cater to grown-ups. Don’t worry, though: Kids can still find lanes—you just have to know when to go. Here are our favorite family-friendly bowling alleys in NYC.

Find more fun things to do indoors with kids in NYC, from play cafes in Brooklyn and Queens to kid-friendly rock climbing walls in New York City and more, in our NYC Kids Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones.

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids

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Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.

Finding summer camps in NYC can be especially stressful for your family's finances, and while we want our children to have a fun, rewarding, and safe experience, we don't want to dig into our retirement fund to pay for it. New York City families are lucky because free and cheap summer camps abound all across the five boroughs, where arts and education funding subsidizes some excellent New York City summer camps so all children can enjoy fantastic summer camps in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Read on for all our picks for free and affordable summer camps in NYC. Find more summer camps in New York City, including preschool summer camps, great sleepaway summer camps in the Northeast, and STEM summer day camps in our Summer Camp Guide and NYC Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by type, age, and neighborhood.

Best Overnight Summer Camps in Florida

Submitted by Charlotte B on

YMCA Camp Winona is a place where kids learn, grow, and have fun. Photo courtesy of YMCA

Overnight summer camps provide a great opportunity for kids to gain independence in a safe environment. Florida has a host of great overnight camps, stretching from the Panhandle to the Keys! These sleepaway camps offer activities like archery, kayaking, performing arts, horseback riding, rock climbing, marine science, aviation, and so much more. And many of these overnight summer camps offer mini-stays (2-3 nights) for new and nervous campers, as well as entire summer-long programs for seasoned campers! Kids as young as 6 and up to age 17 can find the perfect Florida overnight camp!

We've rounded up some of the top overnight camps in Florida. To find more Florida summer camps, visit our Orlando Summer Camp Guide —it's packed with the best Central Florida camp info to make the most of your summer vacation.

Best Affordable Summer Camps in Atlanta

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Kids can spend the day playing in the park at one of several camps across Gwinnett County. Photo courtesy of Gwinnett Park and Recreation

Finding affordable summer camps in Atlanta can feel like trying to find a unicorn. But unlike unicorns, these summer camps are out there! Check out our list of affordable summer camps in Atlanta — helping parents get the most out of their buck and helping kids have an awesome summer.

For this article, we've capped "affordable" summer camp cost at $250 per week or less for 2025. Luckily, Atlanta's suburbs and counties have awesome parks and recreation departments that offer parents lots of affordable camp options. Note: We will add more details as Atlanta summer camps release the 2025 information so stay tuned.

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